New York, July 16, 2011 -- Gated, Filipino-American playwright Marisa Marquez's new dark comedy that exposes dysfunctional relationships between residents of a gated community of Las Penas Hills in California, premieres at the Midtown InterNational Theatre Festival.

Ms. Marquez, who's originally from Sacramento, California, has written four plays in the past four years that included Gated, Sampaguita (a play that finds humor in lupus therapy) and Plunge (a collection of scenes and monologues about trials and tribulations and true commitment). Drawing from Ms. Marquez's own Filipino-American experience, her plays are a reflection on the complexity of family dynamics and the duality of cross-cultural adaptation.

"I've been working on this play (Gated) for four years now and finally things are really coming together with this production at the Midtown InterNational Theatre Festival. The designers and the talented actors and the producers we have are amazing. I think you're lucky enough if you wake up really truly believing in something. I believe in this show and I have these many people believing in it as well. It's been a blessing," Ms. Marquez said.

The show's directed by Danny Williams, with managing producer Satomi Blair. Lighting and set design by David Goldstein, sound design by Ann Warren, costumes by Hanadi Khurma and props and graphic design by Christine Calabro.

The remaining performances of Gated will be held at the Main Stage Theatre at the Workshop Theatre (312 W 36th St., New York, NY) on July 20 at 6:30 p.m., July 23 at 1 p.m. and July 30 at 4 p.m. For tickets, visit www.midtownfestival.org.